Magna Carta Holy Grail’s artwork was unveiled two days before its release (Picture: Press)

Jay-Z has revealed the minimalist artwork for his upcoming album Magna Carta Holy Grail, along with which tracks have made it onto the record.

Released on July 4, the album will be covered with a cross separating the four initials of the album title, a design almost as simple as collaborator Kanye West’s, who chose to include no artwork with his recent LP Yeezus.

Magna Carta Holy Grail was announced through a Samsung advert, which saw Jay-Z chilling in the studio with producer Rick Rubin and artists Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland.

Rubin has since confirmed that he has not worked on the album however, telling XXL: ‘The point of me being in the commercials was that he was filming a documentary and he asked me to come listen to the songs with him and just talk about the songs. Just listen to it and talk about it, and that’s what we did. It was fun.’

Jay-Z will be hoping for more Grammys with Magna Carta Holy Grail (Picture: AP)

When probed about what the new material sounded like, Rubin said we shouldn’t expect any Yeezus-like primal screaming.

‘I liked what I heard, but it was a little difficult – after just coming from the Kanye sessions – to listen to Jay’s album, because they’re so different. I was in a very alternative and progressive headspace, and Jay’s record is a more traditional hip-hop record.’